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LONG-TERM DEBT
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
LONG-TERM DEBT
LONG-TERM DEBT
Composition of long-term debt for Spire, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama are shown in each registrant’s statements of capitalization as part of the financial statements. Maturities of long-term debt for Spire on a consolidated basis, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama for the five fiscal years subsequent to September 30, 2017 are as follows:
 
Spire
 
Spire Missouri
 
Spire Alabama
2018
$
100.0

 
$
100.0

 
$

2019
180.0

 
50.0

 

2020
40.0

 

 
40.0

2021
55.0

 

 

2022
50.0

 

 
50.0


Spire’s, Spire Missouri’s and Spire Alabama’s short-term credit facilities and long-term debt agreements contain customary covenants and default provisions. As of September 30, 2017, there were no events of default under these covenants.
The Company’s, Spire Missouri’s and Spire Alabama’s access to capital markets, including the commercial paper market, and their respective financing costs, may depend on the credit rating of the entity that is accessing the capital markets. The credit ratings of the Company, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama remain at investment grade, but are subject to review and change by the rating agencies.
It is management’s view that the Company, Spire Missouri and Spire Alabama have adequate access to capital markets and will have sufficient capital resources, both internal and external, to meet anticipated capital requirements, which primarily include capital expenditures, interest payments on long-term debt, scheduled maturities of long-term debt, short-term seasonal needs, and dividends.
Spire
On March 10, 2017, Spire redeemed in full at par its $250.0 floating rate notes due August 15, 2017, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
On March 15, 2017, Spire completed the issuance and sale of $100.0 in aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due March 15, 2027. The notes bear interest at the rate of 3.93% per annum, payable semi-annually. The notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. The Company used the proceeds from the sale of the notes for the repayment of other debt.
In 2014, Spire issued 2.875 million equity units as a portion of the Spire Alabama acquisition financing. The equity units were originally issued at $50 per unit pursuant to the Purchase Contract dated as of June 11, 2014 between Spire and U.S. Bank National Association, as purchase contract agent, collateral agent, custodial agent and securities intermediary. These units consisted of $143.8 aggregate principal amount of 2014 Series A 2.00% remarketable junior subordinated notes due 2022 (the Junior Notes) and the Purchase Contract obligating the holder to purchase common shares at a future settlement date.
The equity unit investments were effectively replaced as planned in a series of transactions outlined below:
On February 22, 2017, the selling securityholders (as defined below) agreed to purchase the Junior Notes in connection with the remarketing of the junior subordinated notes that comprised a component of the equity units.
On the same day, Spire entered two related agreements: (1) a Securities Purchase and Registration Rights Agreement (the SPRRA), among Spire and the several purchasers named therein (the selling securityholders), obligating the selling securityholders to sell the Junior Notes to Spire in exchange for $143.8 aggregate principal amount of Spire’s 3.543% Senior Notes due 2024 (the Senior Notes) and a cash payment, and (2) an underwriting agreement with the selling securityholders and the several underwriters named therein in connection with the public offering of $150.0 aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes consisting of $6.2 principal amount of the Senior Notes issued and sold by Spire and $143.8 principal amount of the Senior Notes sold by the selling securityholders. The SPRRA granted the selling securityholders the right to offer the Senior Notes to the public in secondary public offerings.
The public offering was completed on February 27, 2017. Spire used its net proceeds from its sale of the Senior Notes to repay short-term debt. Spire did not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes by the selling securityholders.
On April 3, 2017, Spire settled the Purchase Contracts underlying its 2.875 million equity units by issuing 2,504,684 shares of its common stock at a purchase price of $57.3921 per share. Fractional shares were settled in cash at $67.50 per share. The purchase price was funded with the proceeds from the Junior Notes. Under the contract terms, the equity units were converted to common stock at the rate of 0.8712, with a corresponding adjustment to purchase price. Spire received net cash proceeds of approximately $142.0, which it used to repay short-term debt incurred the previous month to redeem the floating rate notes.
At September 30, 2017, including the current portion but excluding unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs, Spire had long-term debt totaling $2,112.0, of which $980.0 was issued by Spire Missouri, $250.0 was issued by Spire Alabama, and $67.0 was issued by other subsidiaries. All long-term debt bears fixed rates and is subject to changes in fair value as market interest rates change. However, increases and decreases in fair value would impact earnings and cash flows only if the Company were to reacquire any of these issues in the open market prior to maturity. Under GAAP applicable to the Utilities’ regulated operations, losses or gains on early redemption of long-term debt would typically be deferred as regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities and amortized over a future period.
Of the Company’s $2,112.0 long-term debt (including the current portion), $25.0 has no call options, $1,037.0 has make-whole call options, $5.0 is callable currently, and $1,045.0 is callable at par one to six months prior to maturity.
As indicated in Note 5, Shareholders’ Equity, Spire has a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 on file with the SEC for the issuance of equity and debt securities.
Including the current portion of long-term debt, the Company’s capitalization at September 30, 2017 consisted of 48.7% of common stock equity and 51.3% long-term debt, compared to 46.1% of common stock equity and 53.9% of long-term debt at September 30, 2016.
Spire Missouri
On September 15, 2017, Spire Missouri issued and sold in a private placement $50.0 in aggregate principal amount of its first mortgage bonds due September 15, 2032, $70.0 in aggregate principal amount of its first mortgage bonds due September 15, 2047 and $50.0 in aggregate principal amount of its first mortgage bonds due September 15, 2057. Spire Missouri used the proceeds to refinance existing indebtedness and for other general corporate purposes. The 2032 bonds, 2047 bonds and 2057 bonds bear interest at a rate per annum of 3.68%, 4.23% and 4.38%, respectively, payable semi-annually on the 15th day of March and September of each year.
Spire Missouri has authority from the MoPSC to issue debt securities and preferred stock, including on a private placement basis, as well as to issue common stock, receive paid-in-capital, and enter into capital lease agreements, all for a total of up to $300.0 for financings placed any time before September 30, 2018. During the year ended September 30, 2017, Spire Missouri issued $170.0 in securities under this authorization, so as of that date, $130.0 remains available to be issued.
At September 30, 2017, including the current portion but excluding unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs, Spire Missouri had long-term debt totaling $980.0. While these long-term debt issues are fixed-rate, they are subject to changes in fair value as market interest rates change. Of Spire Missouri’s $980.0 in long-term debt, $25.0 has no call options, $435.0 has make-whole call options and $520.0 is callable at par three to six months prior to maturity.
As indicated in Note 5, Shareholders’ Equity, Spire Missouri has a shelf registration on Form S-3 on file with the SEC for issuance of first mortgage bonds, unsecured debt, and preferred stock, which expires on September 22, 2019.
Substantially all of Spire Missouri’s plant is subject to the liens of its first mortgage bonds. The mortgage contains several restrictions on Spire Missouri’s ability to pay cash dividends on its common stock, which are described in Note 5, Shareholders’ Equity.
Including the current portion of long-term debt, Spire Missouri’s capitalization at September 30, 2017 consisted of 54.6% of common stock equity and 45.4% long-term debt compared to 57.1% of common stock equity and 42.9% of long-term debt at September 30, 2016.
Spire Alabama
At September 30, 2017, excluding unamortized debt issuance costs, Spire Alabama had fixed-rate long-term debt totaling $250.0. While these long-term debt issues are fixed-rate, they are subject to changes in fair value as market interest rates change. All of Spire Alabama’s $250.0 long-term debt has make-whole call options.
Spire Alabama’s capitalization at September 30, 2017 consisted of 77.8% of common stock equity and 22.2% long-term debt, consistent with 77.8% of common stock equity and 22.2% of long-term debt at September 30, 2016.
Because Spire Alabama has no standing authority to issue long-term debt, it must petition the APSC for each planned issuance. On October 3, 2017, Spire Alabama received authorization and approval from the APSC to borrow up to $75.0 for general corporate purposes and to retire short-term debt.